Urinary tract problems are common among people withtype 2 diabetes, affecting everything from frequency and urgency of urination to sexual function to kidney health. The most significant causes include damage to nerves (autonomic neuropathy) that support the structures of the urinary tract and the effects of high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Because of differences in anatomy, the ways in which type 2 diabetes affects the urinary system can differ between men and women, but regardless of a person’s sex, diabetes-related urinary tract problems can dramatically affect their quality of life on a daily basis.
Joshua Seong
Bladder Dysfunction
More than half of adults with type 2 diabetes have bladder problems. Studies have shown that the most common of these, which often are interrelated, are:
There are two common causes of bladder dysfunction due to diabetes. The first is nerve damage—not only of the bladder itself, but also of the urethral sphincter. This structure, composed of two muscles, opens and closes in order to allow urine to leave the bladder and flow into the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body. When this muscle isn’t functioning properly, urine can leak out involuntarily.
Urinary Tract Infections
Symptoms of such infections include frequent urination, pain or burning with urination, and urine that is reddish or cloudy. Women may experience a sensation of pressure above the pubic bone. Men may feel fullness in the rectum. If the kidneys are involved, additional symptoms may occur, including nausea, back or side pain, and fever.
A urinary tract infection can cause painful urination.
High blood sugar levels also can create a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and lead to urinary tract infections. To cure a UTI, a course of antibiotics is necessary.
Sexual Dysfunction
The urinary tract and the organs and structures that support sexual performance and desire are intricately linked, and so when diabetes takes a toll on the former, the latter often are impacted as well. This is true for both sexes but in somewhat different ways.
These problems are related to damage to nerves and blood vessels that supply the reproductive organs and/or surrounding structures, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy)
Along with hypertension, diabetes is among the leading causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). About one in four people with diabetes develop kidney disease, also called diabetic nephropathy.
Diabetic nephropathy develops over a long period of time due to progressive damage to the functional structures of the kidney—the nephrons. There are more than a million nephrons in each kidney, each containing a cluster of blood vessels called glomeruli into which blood flows and is cleaned of waste and fluids. When the nephrons are unable to do this properly, the waste and fluids build up in the blood rather than leave the body.
CKD causes few (if any) obvious symptoms until it has progressed to the point of near kidney failure—a potentially fatal complication. According to the National Kidney Foundation, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure in the United States.
For this reason, it’s vital for people with type 2 diabetes to undergo regular tests for signs of kidney dysfunction. The tests used are the ACR (albumin to creatinine ratio) and the GFR (glomerular filtration rate) tests.
ACR is a urine test to see how much albumin (a type of protein) is in your urine: High levels are an early sign of kidney damage. GFR is a measure of kidney function based on a blood test. Your GFR will determine which of the five stages of kidney disease you have.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wittig L, Carlson KV, Andrews JM, et al.Diabetic bladder dysfunction: a review.Urology. 2019;123:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.10.010Xiao N, Wang Z, Huang Y, et al.Roles of polyuria and hyperglycemia in bladder dysfunction in diabetes.J Urol. 2013;189(3):1130-6. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.222Fala L.Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) now FDA approved for overactive bladder. American Health & Drug Benefits.Nitzan O, Elias M, Chazan B, Saliba W.Urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: review of prevalence, diagnosis, and management.DiabetesMetab Syndr Obes. 2015;8:129-36. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S51792American Diabetes Association.Autonomic neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, sexual, & bladder problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.National Kidney Foundation.Kidney failure.Additional ReadingBrown JS, Wessells H, Chancellor MB, et al.Urologic complications of diabetes.Diabetes Care.2005 Jan;28(1);177-185. doi:10.2337/diacare.28.1.177
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wittig L, Carlson KV, Andrews JM, et al.Diabetic bladder dysfunction: a review.Urology. 2019;123:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.10.010Xiao N, Wang Z, Huang Y, et al.Roles of polyuria and hyperglycemia in bladder dysfunction in diabetes.J Urol. 2013;189(3):1130-6. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.222Fala L.Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) now FDA approved for overactive bladder. American Health & Drug Benefits.Nitzan O, Elias M, Chazan B, Saliba W.Urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: review of prevalence, diagnosis, and management.DiabetesMetab Syndr Obes. 2015;8:129-36. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S51792American Diabetes Association.Autonomic neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, sexual, & bladder problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.National Kidney Foundation.Kidney failure.Additional ReadingBrown JS, Wessells H, Chancellor MB, et al.Urologic complications of diabetes.Diabetes Care.2005 Jan;28(1);177-185. doi:10.2337/diacare.28.1.177
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wittig L, Carlson KV, Andrews JM, et al.Diabetic bladder dysfunction: a review.Urology. 2019;123:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.10.010Xiao N, Wang Z, Huang Y, et al.Roles of polyuria and hyperglycemia in bladder dysfunction in diabetes.J Urol. 2013;189(3):1130-6. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.222Fala L.Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) now FDA approved for overactive bladder. American Health & Drug Benefits.Nitzan O, Elias M, Chazan B, Saliba W.Urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: review of prevalence, diagnosis, and management.DiabetesMetab Syndr Obes. 2015;8:129-36. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S51792American Diabetes Association.Autonomic neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, sexual, & bladder problems.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.National Kidney Foundation.Kidney failure.
Wittig L, Carlson KV, Andrews JM, et al.Diabetic bladder dysfunction: a review.Urology. 2019;123:1-6. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.10.010
Xiao N, Wang Z, Huang Y, et al.Roles of polyuria and hyperglycemia in bladder dysfunction in diabetes.J Urol. 2013;189(3):1130-6. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2012.08.222
Fala L.Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) now FDA approved for overactive bladder. American Health & Drug Benefits.
Nitzan O, Elias M, Chazan B, Saliba W.Urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: review of prevalence, diagnosis, and management.DiabetesMetab Syndr Obes. 2015;8:129-36. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S51792
American Diabetes Association.Autonomic neuropathy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, sexual, & bladder problems.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.
National Kidney Foundation.Kidney failure.
Brown JS, Wessells H, Chancellor MB, et al.Urologic complications of diabetes.Diabetes Care.2005 Jan;28(1);177-185. doi:10.2337/diacare.28.1.177
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
